Young Europeans discussing the future of rural areas.
From 12 to 18 May 2026, the Municipality of Samugheo hosted 25 young people from Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, and Croatia as part of the international youth exchange “SMART – Rural Innovators”, funded by the Erasmus+ programme and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Department of Public Education, Cultural Heritage, Information, Entertainment and Sport, and co-funded by the Municipality of Samugheo.
The initiative turned the town into a place of encounter and exchange among young Europeans interested in rural development, entrepreneurship, youth participation, and the enhancement of inland areas. Among the participants were also four young people from Samugheo, who took part alongside their European peers throughout the entire experience.
The aim of the project was to strengthen the role of young people in the development of rural communities across Europe, promoting intercultural dialogue, active citizenship, entrepreneurial skills, and awareness of opportunities offered by the European Union.
Through non-formal education activities, workshops, simulations, group work, and moments of reflection, participants explored the challenges affecting rural and inland areas, such as depopulation, youth employment, sustainability, and the promotion of local identities.
A wide range of activities was dedicated to discovering the local territory and its productive excellence. Participants visited several representative enterprises in Samugheo, coming into direct contact with the local agri-food and craft heritage. At the experiential agritourism “Andala”, they took part in a workshop on traditional breadmaking and sourdough bread production; at the Mario Musu Salumificio, they explored food quality and traditional cured meat production; and at the Andrea Mura Dairy, they attended a practical demonstration of cheese-making, discovering the cultural and economic value of dairy production linked to Sardinia’s pastoral tradition.
Great interest was also raised by visits to the textile workshops Mariantonia Urru, Marcella Sanna, and Sartaap, which allowed participants to get a close look at one of Samugheo’s main excellences. The young Europeans observed the production techniques of traditional carpets and Samugheo blankets, deepening their understanding of the relationship between craftsmanship, innovation, and the international promotion of local products.
The discovery of the host community also took place through activities spread across the town, including a treasure hunt that led participants to explore symbolic places, traditions, and aspects of local life, while also encouraging direct interaction with the inhabitants of Samugheo.
A particularly meaningful moment was the excursion organised in collaboration with the Municipality of Samugheo and the Samugheo Trekking Association on the occasion of the European Day of Mills. The trek allowed participants to discover the natural, historical, and landscape heritage of the area, visiting the watermill site and a nuraghe, while reflecting on the relationship between environment, sustainable tourism, and local development. The activity also represented an important opportunity for interaction between project participants and the local community.
Throughout the week, European youth programmes were also explored, with particular focus on Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs. Participants learned about the opportunities offered by the European Union in terms of international mobility, volunteering, training, and professional development, reflecting on personal and career growth in rural contexts.
Fun was also an important part of the exchange, thanks to numerous intercultural moments and, in particular, the multicultural evening organised by the Samugheo Pro Loco. The event, open to the local community, brought together young people, families, and residents in an evening dedicated to sharing, traditional dances, music, and the cultures of the participating countries.
The project contributed to promoting Samugheo internationally, enhancing its agri-food production, textile heritage, environmental resources, and the role of rural communities as places of innovation and opportunity for younger generations. At the same time, participants developed new linguistic, organisational, entrepreneurial, and social skills, gaining greater awareness of the potential of rural areas in Europe.
At the end of the project, all participants received the Youthpass certificate, the official European Union tool that recognises and validates the skills acquired through non-formal learning activities carried out within the Erasmus+ programme.
The successful implementation of the project was made possible thanks to the collaboration of all those who contributed to the local activities: Municipality of Samugheo, Pro Loco of Samugheo, Samugheo Trekking Association, Andala Experiential Agritourism, Mario Musu Salumificio, Andrea Mura Dairy, Mariantonia Urru Textile Workshop, Marcella Sanna Textile Workshop, and Sartaap Textile Workshop. Special thanks also go to the international partners from Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, and Croatia, and to the entire community of Samugheo, which warmly welcomed the young Europeans throughout the week of activities.
Official project video:
